In the Midst of Chaos

I asked a question this week what do you do in the midst of chaos? I know there were many times this week when you questioned your reality. Is this really happening and why? The truth is there are no answers bad things happen and tragedies such as we experienced this week. First we had the Boston Marathon and then the West explosion no telling what else might have happened in your life this past week or the week before, but the question is how do you deal with it? Do you let it cripple you or do you move on even stronger? The best thing I heard this week was to look for the helpers quoted by Fred Rogers. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” The events this week were tragic there is no denying that, but the good of the people how everyone came together and helped one another shows that there is good in the world. There is also the bad that we will experience, but let it bring us together as neighbors and friends instead of bitter. It is all in the perspective. We were not promised that everything would be perfect we will have pain, but help others get back on their feet in their time of need. Make sure you tell others how much they mean to you and live life with no regrets. We will never forget and we have a choice to stand together.

Live Life to the Fullest

                 

This week has been a crazy challenging week filled with tears and laughter.  I lost my Grandfather at the age of 79 3 days after his Birthday who saw his last final day on earth on April 1st 2013.  It has been a hard week with ups and downs, and I am so grateful for my family and friends who were there for comfort and prayers.  Everyone handles death differently I choose to handle it day by day, and I am so grateful for the time we had together.  I spoke at his celebration of life today and delivered a message that I would also like to share with all of you since this is a part of my journey.

Papa was a hero to everyone who met him, and he will be remembered and cherished always.  The peace in his passing comes through knowing the embrace that took place in heaven when my mom and her daddy were together again in Heaven.  It is not a secret all of Papa's health problems the ups and the downs.  We did not know that this would be the time he would go to Heaven leaving us behind.  Papa was a strong man and fought until the end to stay on this Earth for all of us.  He was one of the most caring men who believed in family and held us all together which was a hard task in itself.  He brought us sanity and constant love in this crazy world. 

I had a long talk with Papa before he was laid to rest, and it gives me peace to share that memory.  During our talk he shared with me the struggles he had living life after my mom died.  It crushed his world losing a child my mother who is loved by so many, and he told me the only way he survived was the companionship of his dog Lost and our horse Gypsy when he was alone he would talk to them about his pain.

They were a true comfort in his life during a dark time.  We cried together and shared memories of mom, and how life has changed without her here.  We talked about how grateful he is for Ninny and he knows that it is hard on her him being sick.  He mentioned the speech I gave at my Mom's funeral and quoted a few things I said.  I told him that it was not me that the Lord was speaking through me to deliver a message and gave me strength to share with others in her memory.  He understood he was sick and he was tired and one day like all of us he would be laid to rest.  When I talked to Ninny the day he died I told her I would also like to speak at his funeral to share this message and honor him and his memory.  I wish I would have had a recorder to record our last conversation, but it gave me closure that he would be all right and so would we by carrying his strength in our own lives.

We watched him in his last final days as he continued to fight the pain it was too much to handle.  We told him to go rest and to join his Daughter in Heaven.  Papa had a strong faith and led a blessed life we are all stronger and better people for having him in our lives.  Enjoy the moments today and every day.  Death is a complicated experience it does not get earier it is just different your happiness changes and there is a hole that you cherish.  The best advice I ever received when my mom passed was it will always be a different king of happiness it's not good not necessarily bad just different.  We will all meet together again in Heaven.  Go with God Papa and join your eternal kingdom.

Papa never met a stranger everyone was a friend.  He could light up a room and left a lasting impression that will never be forgotten.  We are all put on this Earth for a reason find your purpose and live out your own legacy.  Every day is a gift it is not owed to us live life to fullest today and every day.

1. Love unconditionally
2. Live with integrity
3. Leave this world a better place